It’s an important observation. On my science side, that was indeed the trade-off; I realized I was relinquishing some of the usual power to lead this or that discipline from the inside, for the benefit of remaining aloof and better intellectually set. For science, each group think is WITHIN these disciplines, and so, yup, I had little ability to change their narrative to accept my discovery. I content myself with the long game -- eventually the truth will be accepted, and I have other fish to fry.
But, in this political movement Covid analogy, as it happened, although I was aloof from the usual partisanship, the collective madness wasn’t (initially) within just one side. Situated outside of them all might have happened to be the right place to be for a movement that wasn’t Left or Right, but Covid-freedom-centric.
Very interesting trait characteristic recognition!! I had cause just the other day to contemplate my life choices and why didn't get swept away, which makes the timing of this stack even more relevant for me. My life choices have been largely to experience a great many things, a great many ways of living, circles to be a part of, wanting to learn from and sample as much of the life experience there is to be had across as many socioeconomic and lifestyle varieties as I'm able to. Enjoying some experiences more than a passing exploration, but most just enough to gain understanding, then moving on. A mile wide and an inch deep. A bit aloof. I've not been much of a joiner. Or follower for that matter. If I have joined a group that interested me more than others I've soon found myself in a position of leadership in it, either formally as a board member or president of an organization, or informally as someone who others would see as a leader in a social group.
When 2020 rolled around I wasn't in any formal leadership role. I've wondered what members of an official organization would have thought of me if I had chosen to lead it to oppose the insanity? I know that the informal social group I was in got co-oped quickly by other leaders in it. And they were the loudest, most aggressive and bullying types about it, shouting down others who questioned and demanding all must sacrifice. Reinforced by the TV and the entirety of the world shouting what those other leaders were saying. I tried to influence the conversations, but there were too many of them and too few who shared my understanding. I'd get messages of support from some, privately, telling me that they wish they could speak more freely, valued what I had to say, thought I was brave to say it and made them feel like at least all of society hadn't gone mad. But they had too much to lose if they publicly joined me. It was really disappointing to see the calculated cowardness among so many friends, even libertarian types as you mention.
I suppose if I had been more deeply invested in the groups instead of being a mile wide, inch deep type I might have had more in the group follow my lead. Which then poses its own dilemma, is not being a joiner, and thereby remaining immune to the pressures of the group dynamic that allowed me to step out of groupthink, not get swept up in the mania incompatible with being able to use one's inherent leadership qualities to help lead other group members out of said groupthink and mania? That which allowed us to be able to apply individual reason and study to keep our minds free made us ineffective in leading a counter movement? I imagine if we had realized the stakes early on and studied works and methods of doing that effectively our messages and interactions with those in groups we were seen as leaders of would have been better calibrated and coordinated. Instead of being reactionary and self-defeating at times.
If I knew then what I know now maybe it could've been different. Like a lot of us probably think now. So how do we get ahead of this social phenomenon, remain Aloof to preserve our independent thinking, but become a part of a group sufficiently to lead it against a society-wide mania?
I'm still not sure why I avoided the avalanche....I was surrounded by colleagues who succumbed, family (except hubs and kids), friends, neighbours, hell, we had a Karen opposite who would have reported any wrongdoing in a heartbeat. I had a memorable screaming match with her on the doorstep Christmas 2021 😆 We used to be friends....Some of my friends recovered their senses early on, and I owe my life to my best mate and my hubs. Others still believe the nonsense. I thought initially it's because I'm autistic and see the world differently, but I know of some autistic people who got swept away by the avalanche!
I guess I just have a cool head, although it's left me with ptsd (finally in therapy). I'm stronger than I ever believed possible. So are my kids. 3 of us are unjabbed, despite huge pressure. Hubs had one dose, nearly killed him. I know I'm rambling, but the online community was a real lifeline for me at times especially your content Mark. Thank you so much for helping me through.
It’s an important observation. On my science side, that was indeed the trade-off; I realized I was relinquishing some of the usual power to lead this or that discipline from the inside, for the benefit of remaining aloof and better intellectually set. For science, each group think is WITHIN these disciplines, and so, yup, I had little ability to change their narrative to accept my discovery. I content myself with the long game -- eventually the truth will be accepted, and I have other fish to fry.
But, in this political movement Covid analogy, as it happened, although I was aloof from the usual partisanship, the collective madness wasn’t (initially) within just one side. Situated outside of them all might have happened to be the right place to be for a movement that wasn’t Left or Right, but Covid-freedom-centric.
Very interesting trait characteristic recognition!! I had cause just the other day to contemplate my life choices and why didn't get swept away, which makes the timing of this stack even more relevant for me. My life choices have been largely to experience a great many things, a great many ways of living, circles to be a part of, wanting to learn from and sample as much of the life experience there is to be had across as many socioeconomic and lifestyle varieties as I'm able to. Enjoying some experiences more than a passing exploration, but most just enough to gain understanding, then moving on. A mile wide and an inch deep. A bit aloof. I've not been much of a joiner. Or follower for that matter. If I have joined a group that interested me more than others I've soon found myself in a position of leadership in it, either formally as a board member or president of an organization, or informally as someone who others would see as a leader in a social group.
When 2020 rolled around I wasn't in any formal leadership role. I've wondered what members of an official organization would have thought of me if I had chosen to lead it to oppose the insanity? I know that the informal social group I was in got co-oped quickly by other leaders in it. And they were the loudest, most aggressive and bullying types about it, shouting down others who questioned and demanding all must sacrifice. Reinforced by the TV and the entirety of the world shouting what those other leaders were saying. I tried to influence the conversations, but there were too many of them and too few who shared my understanding. I'd get messages of support from some, privately, telling me that they wish they could speak more freely, valued what I had to say, thought I was brave to say it and made them feel like at least all of society hadn't gone mad. But they had too much to lose if they publicly joined me. It was really disappointing to see the calculated cowardness among so many friends, even libertarian types as you mention.
I suppose if I had been more deeply invested in the groups instead of being a mile wide, inch deep type I might have had more in the group follow my lead. Which then poses its own dilemma, is not being a joiner, and thereby remaining immune to the pressures of the group dynamic that allowed me to step out of groupthink, not get swept up in the mania incompatible with being able to use one's inherent leadership qualities to help lead other group members out of said groupthink and mania? That which allowed us to be able to apply individual reason and study to keep our minds free made us ineffective in leading a counter movement? I imagine if we had realized the stakes early on and studied works and methods of doing that effectively our messages and interactions with those in groups we were seen as leaders of would have been better calibrated and coordinated. Instead of being reactionary and self-defeating at times.
If I knew then what I know now maybe it could've been different. Like a lot of us probably think now. So how do we get ahead of this social phenomenon, remain Aloof to preserve our independent thinking, but become a part of a group sufficiently to lead it against a society-wide mania?
I'm still not sure why I avoided the avalanche....I was surrounded by colleagues who succumbed, family (except hubs and kids), friends, neighbours, hell, we had a Karen opposite who would have reported any wrongdoing in a heartbeat. I had a memorable screaming match with her on the doorstep Christmas 2021 😆 We used to be friends....Some of my friends recovered their senses early on, and I owe my life to my best mate and my hubs. Others still believe the nonsense. I thought initially it's because I'm autistic and see the world differently, but I know of some autistic people who got swept away by the avalanche!
I guess I just have a cool head, although it's left me with ptsd (finally in therapy). I'm stronger than I ever believed possible. So are my kids. 3 of us are unjabbed, despite huge pressure. Hubs had one dose, nearly killed him. I know I'm rambling, but the online community was a real lifeline for me at times especially your content Mark. Thank you so much for helping me through.